Posted by Bob Borysko on Tue, Feb 16, 2010 @ 08:40 AM
Avoiding that huge mess when your lead SAS programmer gives notice...
Statistical Programmers are varied in their approach on how they execute their craft. Each programmer is unique in how they get to their end result. This varied approach can be challenging when you want to replicate what was done or pass on the knowledge to other programmers. Worst case scenario, your lead programmer gives notice and you are left with deciphering their code.
The impending disaster that could result when your lead programmer gives notice and leaves, with the intimate knowledge of the work in progress can be avoided if your team uses ClinPlus Report® for generating reports. Although ClinPlus Report is not a library of reports, it does produce reports in an extremely standardized, template-based manner.
The system is not only capable of developing standardized and one-off reports, but it is also excellent for organizing reports for a workgroup. Corporate-level, standard template libraries are able to be created and maintained so that project and study-level templates can be easily derived by statistical programmers. All of the templates are written using a common logical approach, thereby eliminating confusion amongst programmers and providing a clear path to understanding how templates are created for new programmers.
Additionally the system includes additional features such as a title and footnote library layered in levels for easy maintenance, RTF output generation in format designed to please the pickiest of medical writers and the ability to extend to a listing, patient profile and data base QC tool for Data Managers.
The tables and listings generated out of ClinPlus Report are produced using an automatically generated SAS data null program that provides the flexibility the Life Sciences industry demands, without compromise.
So, when left in a lurch by key programmers who are moving on and your deadline is staying put, you can rest easy that new programmers or experienced DZS programmers can pick up the ball and run without delay using ClinPlus Report. At this late stage in the game, can you afford any less?
For more information on ClinPlus Report and a FREE download of tables and listings examples please go to:
http://www.clinplus.com/report-landing-clinplus-report-tables-listings/?utm_campaign=Report%20&utm_source=DZS%20Blog
Posted by Keith ward on Tue, Jan 26, 2010 @ 07:39 AM
Group: Northeast Clinical Programmers and Biostatisticians
Are you spending too much time custom programming to achieve the desired results for tables and listings? Our all new Report template library saves time and frustration.
Comment: Vendors tools such as ClinPlus for creating tables and listings are too expensive for sponsors on a long-term basis, and as such not worth for spending so much budget. Major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, BMS, Novartis, GSK, Bayer, and many others have developed a set of macros which are more friendly and easy to use. Vijay Chauhan Owner, Alpha Stats Inc and Pharmaceuticals Consultant
Response: Actually, embarking on a standard reporting system development project using in-house programmers typically costs 5-10 times what ClinPlus licensing fees would cost, perhaps much more if using third party consulting companies. And, results are uncertain at best. I have seen several of these projects fall well short of their initial goals or fail completely - money down the drain. With an off the shelf product like ClinPlus Report, that has been in production (with ongoing development) for 20+ years, companies see the benefits immediately and have a team of experts available to support them.
Many of the pharmaceutical companies you mentioned do, in fact, use ClinPlus as their standard along with several other tier-1 pharmas, biotechs and CRO's. (60+ ClinPlus clients total) All have expressed satisfaction in not only the time and money saved but also in the superior quality and flexibility they enjoy from a validated, expertly supported product. The return on investment with this product is predictably significant vs. any development effort with an unknown final outcome.
Bob Borysko
VP Product Devlopment and Programming
DZS Software Solutions, Inc.
Check out this page http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eclinplus%2Ecom%2Fproducts%2Freport-template-library-authoring-tales-and-listings%2F&urlhash=VAeQ
Posted by Keith ward on Tue, Nov 24, 2009 @ 04:06 PM
Choosing the wrong report software for your organization could be a career ender, especially if your organization is in the Life Sciences arena where drug safety and time-to-market are everything.
Here's a few questions to consider asking before you decide. We've also included a link to a complete list of qualifying questions.
Below is a typical clinical data demographic table that is needed when compiling a final clinical study report. In order to complete a table like this, a SAS programmer could spend hours or days to get all the text to line up correctly so analysis and review can be done more easily.
Q1. Will your software run in my existing computer environment?
Reason for asking:
You should first determine if your operating system is supported and your computers adequate.
DZS Answer:
The ClinPlus Report Engine can be installed under any operating system that supports SAS. Current installations include Windows and, Unix. The Report GUI is installed in a Windows environment. A hybrid installation is supported via SAS/CONNECT where the Report GUI resides under Windows and the Report Engine resides under Unix.
Q2. What programming language is your system written in?
Reason for asking:
To determine if the system complies with company standards and will easily integrate with existing systems and procedures.
DZS Answer:
ClinPlus Report is written in SAS, the industry standard in clinical data analysis. The current version is validated under SAS v9.1.3 and 9.2.
Q3. Is your system a collection of programs written to produce pre-defined reports or a tool used to create custom reports?
Reason for asking:
To ascertain overall system philosophy and to get a general impression of flexibility.
DZS Answer:
ClinPlus Report is not merely a report selector, rather a true report authoring tool. With this tool, users can create custom reports with the content and layout they require. These report templates can then be saved in libraries for future use. However, DZS does offer a complete library of safety table and listing templates that can be customized to your unique standards.
Q4. What type of reports can be created?
Reason for asking:
To determine the scope of the system. Ask about various statistical and summary tables, data listings, patient profiles, etc.
DZS Answer:
ClinPlus Report produces presentation quality statistical tables, data listings and patient profiles.
Q5. How is the system accessed, through programing, interactively (GUI), or both?
Reason for asking:
To get an idea of the range of skill sets required and integration possibilities.
DZS Answer:
The system is used either through an intuitive GUI interface or by programming. Furthermore, programs can be created using the GUI?
These are just some of the basic question to ask.
For a more comprehensive list of questions and answers regarding the selection of the right authoring tool for clinical trial data analysis and the efficient production of statistical tables and listings please visit our website: http://www.clinplus.com/products/report/reports-specific-questions/
ClinPlus Report's unmatched flexibility puts you in control and saves your team valuable SAS programming time. ClinPlus Report gives you complete control over: